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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
China and US Ally in Maritime Confrontation Near Disputed Territory
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China and the Philippines have traded salvos over a confrontation near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Philippine Coast Guard for comment outside of office hours. Why It Matters China claims sovereignty over nearly all islands and reefs in the South China Sea, citing historical rights. These claims overlap with those of several other countries in the region, including the United States' defense treaty ally, the Philippines. Scarborough Shoal, known in the Philippines as Bajo de Masinloc and in China as Huangyan Island, is a rich fishing ground and a flashpoint in a territorial dispute that has intensified since 2023, as the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has challenged the expanding Chinese patrols within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Clashes have seen the Chinese side engage in ramming and deploying water cannons that damaged Philippine vessels and caused injuries. A Chinese coast guard ship shadows the Philippine BRP Datu Tamblot near the Scarborough Shoal on February 15, 2024. A Chinese coast guard ship shadows the Philippine BRP Datu Tamblot near the Scarborough Shoal on February 15, 2024. Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account run by state broadcaster China Central Television, released footage on Wednesday showing a confrontation between the coast guards of the two countries at Scarborough Shoal the previous day. The video accused the Philippine vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, of "deliberately and dangerously" approaching its two Chinese counterparts, CCG-21550 and CCG-5009, and cutting across their bows at distances as close as 100 meters (328 feet). "The Philippine vessel repeatedly made sharp turns at close range and sped up. Such provocative behavior was even more frequent this time than in the past," the video claimed, accusing the Southeast Asian nation of violating maritime law. On July 15, PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua, operating in the waters near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, deliberately provoked the CCG vesels that were conducting rights protection and law enforcement operations in the area. — SCS Probing Initiative (@SCS_PI) July 16, 2025 Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela refuted China's account of the incident on Thursday. "BRP Teresa Magbanua was lawfully conducting a maritime patrol within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, as established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award, to safeguard Filipino fishermen and uphold our sovereign rights in this part of the West Philippine Sea," Tarriela said, using Manila's term for the swath of South China Sea lying within the zone. "In contrast, the China Coast Guard vessels were operating unlawfully in these waters, aggressively obstructing our navigation route by speeding up and dangerously crossing close to our vessel in an attempt to intimidate and harass our personnel," he added. The official called the actions of the Chinese side "part of a recurring pattern of coercion." The 2016 award he referenced was a Hague-based arbitral tribunal's decision that rejected China's sweeping South China Sea claims. Beijing refused to participate in the proceedings and maintains the award is invalid. Scarborough Shoal lies about 140 miles west of the Philippines' populous Luzon Island and nearly 700 miles from China's southernmost province, Hainan. China seized effective control over the waters around the shoal in 2012, following a standoff after Philippine forces attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen. What People Are Saying The Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, in a June report: "Remote sensing data from the past ten months shows that China's presence has expanded to include additional patrols east of the feature aimed at intercepting Philippine ships, leading to frequent encounters between the two countries' law enforcement vessels." What Happens Next China is likely to continue sending its coast guard and naval ships into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, in what analysts describe as an effort to gradually normalize its presence there. The Marcos administration is expected to persist in shadowing Chinese vessels within the zone and publicizing their movements. The president has pledged not to cede "one square inch" of Philippine territory.
Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Footage Shows China Firing Water Cannon at US Ally Near Disputed Territory
The Philippines has released footage showing the Chinese coast guard deploying water cannons to drive away a fisheries bureau vessel operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment. China claims the South China Sea as its territory, citing vague historic rights. Beijing has dismissed as invalid a 2016 decision by a Hague-based arbitral court that rejected these claims. Since 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pushed back against the growing presence of Chinese maritime forces within the country's exclusive economic zone. This challenge has been met with Chinese blockades at disputed features and increasingly forceful measures, raising concerns that a miscalculation could trigger Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington and draw the United States into a conflict with China. On Friday morning, four vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources arrived at Scarborough Shoal-a rich fishing ground-to distribute fuel subsidies to more than 20 local fishing boats, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela wrote on X (formerly Twitter). At around 10 a.m., Chinese coast guard ships moved in and began conducting "aggressive maneuvers," Tarriela said. One Chinese vessel came within 16 yards of the Philippine ship BRP Datu Taradapit, about 18 miles southwest of Scarborough Shoal, carrying out blocking maneuvers and firing its water cannon, at one point striking the port quarter of the Philippine vessel, according to Tarriela. Another Chinese coast guard cutter fired its water cannon at the BRP Datu Tamblot, another fisheries bureau vessel, about 20 miles southeast of the shoal, but did not strike the boat directly. Tarriela said the Chinese ships monitored in the area included six coast guard vessels, two navy warships, and a number of ships belonging to the so-called Maritime Militia-paramilitary vessels that China describes as patriotic fishermen. "Despite the unprofessional and illegal actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats," Tarriela said. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun, in a statement, accused the Datu Taradapit of "approaching and intruding" into the waters around Scarborough Shoal and said the coast guard had taken "necessary measures" to drive it away. "The Philippine side's actions have seriously violated China's sovereignty and violated international law and relevant provisions of Chinese law. The frequent provocations and nuisances by the Philippine side cannot change the fact that Scarborough Shoal belongs to China," he added. Scarborough Shoal sits about 140 miles west of the Philippines' Luzon Island and nearly 700 miles from China's southernmost province of Hainan. The area is well within the Southeast Asian country's exclusive economic zone, which extends 230 miles from its coastal baselines. The National Maritime Council, which operates under the Philippines' presidential office, in a statement: "These actions violate international law, specifically UNCLOS [the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] and the 2016 arbitral ruling and jeopardize the safety of Philippine personnel and local fishing communities." Bao Yinan, a maritime policy analyst, wrote for Chinese think tank the South China Sea Probing Initiative in an June 21 article: "Given that disputes between China and the Philippines in certain parts of the South China Sea in recent years have not been properly resolved, with periodic escalations occurring over the past two years, the likelihood of the two countries resolving their disputes through negotiation or judicial means in the short term appears minimal." Neither China nor the Philippines has signaled any willingness to back down. Tensions remain high, though the intensity of confrontations has eased somewhat since a June 2024 clash that left one sailor injured. Related Articles Photos Show US Air Force Training for Pacific WarHow 'Groundbreaking' Chinese Satellite Compares With StarlinkHow Iran Could Close the Strait of HormuzChina's Assertive Patrols Alarm US Pacific Ally 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Footage Shows China Firing Water Cannon at US Ally Near Disputed Territory
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philippines has released footage showing the Chinese coast guard deploying water cannons to drive away a fisheries bureau vessel operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment. Why It Matters China claims the South China Sea as its territory, citing vague historic rights. Beijing has dismissed as invalid a 2016 decision by a Hague-based arbitral court that rejected these claims. Since 2023, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pushed back against the growing presence of Chinese maritime forces within the country's exclusive economic zone. This challenge has been met with Chinese blockades at disputed features and increasingly forceful measures, raising concerns that a miscalculation could trigger Manila's Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington and draw the United States into a conflict with China. What To Know On Friday morning, four vessels from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources arrived at Scarborough Shoal—a rich fishing ground—to distribute fuel subsidies to more than 20 local fishing boats, Philippine coast guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela wrote on X (formerly Twitter). At around 10 a.m., Chinese coast guard ships moved in and began conducting "aggressive maneuvers," Tarriela said. One Chinese vessel came within 16 yards of the Philippine ship BRP Datu Taradapit, about 18 miles southwest of Scarborough Shoal, carrying out blocking maneuvers and firing its water cannon, at one point striking the port quarter of the Philippine vessel, according to Tarriela. A Chinese coast guard ship fires its water cannon as it seeks to obstruct a Philippine fisheries bureau mission near Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. A Chinese coast guard ship fires its water cannon as it seeks to obstruct a Philippine fisheries bureau mission near Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Philippine Coast Guard Another Chinese coast guard cutter fired its water cannon at the BRP Datu Tamblot, another fisheries bureau vessel, about 20 miles southeast of the shoal, but did not strike the boat directly. Tarriela said the Chinese ships monitored in the area included six coast guard vessels, two navy warships, and a number of ships belonging to the so-called Maritime Militia—paramilitary vessels that China describes as patriotic fishermen. "Despite the unprofessional and illegal actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats," Tarriela said. Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun, in a statement, accused the Datu Taradapit of "approaching and intruding" into the waters around Scarborough Shoal and said the coast guard had taken "necessary measures" to drive it away. "The Philippine side's actions have seriously violated China's sovereignty and violated international law and relevant provisions of Chinese law. The frequent provocations and nuisances by the Philippine side cannot change the fact that Scarborough Shoal belongs to China," he added. Scarborough Shoal sits about 140 miles west of the Philippines' Luzon Island and nearly 700 miles from China's southernmost province of Hainan. The area is well within the Southeast Asian country's exclusive economic zone, which extends 230 miles from its coastal baselines. What People Are Saying The National Maritime Council, which operates under the Philippines' presidential office, in a statement: "These actions violate international law, specifically UNCLOS [the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] and the 2016 arbitral ruling and jeopardize the safety of Philippine personnel and local fishing communities." Bao Yinan, a maritime policy analyst, wrote for Chinese think tank the South China Sea Probing Initiative in an June 21 article: "Given that disputes between China and the Philippines in certain parts of the South China Sea in recent years have not been properly resolved, with periodic escalations occurring over the past two years, the likelihood of the two countries resolving their disputes through negotiation or judicial means in the short term appears minimal." What Happens Next Neither China nor the Philippines has signaled any willingness to back down. Tensions remain high, though the intensity of confrontations has eased somewhat since a June 2024 clash that left one sailor injured.
GMA Network
20-06-2025
- GMA Network
PH accuses China ships of aggressive maneuvers in Scarborough Shoal
The Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard ships on Friday of carrying out aggressive maneuvers and targeting its fisheries vessels with water cannons while they were delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Friday. One of the four Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels involved in the mission was briefly struck by a water cannon, while another evaded being hit, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. ''At approximately 10 a.m., BRP Datu Taradapit faced aggressive maneuvers from the Chinese Coast Guard vessel CCG-4203, which approached within 600 yards and fired a water cannon from 15.6 nautical miles southwest of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal,'' the PCG said. ''Despite these aggressive actions, including blocking maneuvers and a water cannon attack that briefly struck the port quarter of BRP Datu Taradapit, the vessel adeptly maneuvered away to avoid significant damage. At 10:30 a.m., CCG-3105 targeted BRP Datu Tamblot with a water cannon from a distance of 18.1 nautical miles southeast of the shoal, but the attack missed its mark,'' it added. The PCG said it monitored six China Coast Guard vessels, two PLA Navy warships, and multiple Chinese maritime militia vessels during the operation. It also said the BFAR was able to distribute fuel subsidies to over 20 local fishing boats. ''Despite the unprofessional and illegal actions of the Chinese Coast Guard, which endangered Filipino crew members and fishermen, BFAR vessels remained resolute in their mission to protect local fishing boats,'' the PCG said. Scarborough Shoal, which is also referred to as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, is a triangular coral reef formation that surrounds a lagoon and is famed for its rich marine resources. The shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is considered within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China refused to recognize the ruling. — with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News
